Customer success
-
Chris has 10 years of experience in international higher education, helping thousands of students successfully navigate university admissions across the world's leading study destinations. Passionate about improving the quality of international guidance, she designed and led the development of the Studee Advice Program (SAP), Studee's advisor training program covering global admissions, qualifications, credential evaluation, scholarships, visa guidance and international student support.
Today, Chris works closely with universities, international school counselors and education advisors to develop the resources, learning experiences and support frameworks that underpin the Studee University Application Workspace (UAW). She has played a leading role in designing UAW's Scheme of Learning and counselor resources, ensuring they reflect real counseling practice and provide students with structured guidance throughout every stage of the university application journey.
Through the Counselor Circle, Chris collaborates with experienced counselors from around the world to help shape the future of UAW, bringing practitioner insight into the design of new tools, content and student support experiences.
Data protection and compliance
-
Ellie is a highly experienced Data Protection and Privacy specialist with over twenty years of expertise helping organizations build practical, effective compliance frameworks. As Studee's Data Protection & Compliance Officer, she oversees our global approach to data protection, privacy and regulatory compliance, ensuring the security of the personal information entrusted to us by students, schools, independent counselors and university partners.
Alongside her role at Studee, Ellie is Director of DR Compliance Ltd and a Senior Data Protection and Privacy Consultant, advising organizations on UK/EU GDPR, information governance, ISO 27701, privacy by design and organizational compliance. Her pragmatic approach helps ensure that data protection supports innovation while maintaining the highest standards of trust and accountability.
Counselor Circle
The Counselor Circle is Studee's founding group of experienced counselors. It contributes professional insight, product feedback, and trusted relationships from across the global counseling community to help shape the development of the University Application Workspace (UAW).
We believe the best solutions for counselors are created by counselors themselves. The University Application Workspace is being developed through the Counselor Circle, built for counselors by counselors, with practicing professionals directly shaping the ideas, workflows, and tools being created.
International school counselors are managing growing application volumes across multiple destinations, platforms, and admissions systems. The Circle exists to ensure new tools and ways of working are shaped directly by practicing professionals.
-
John has over 30 years of experience in international education as a Headmaster/Principal of both British boarding and international schools.
Now based in the UAE, John has worked throughout his career with counselors, students and families to navigate global schools and university admissions.
Originally from the UK, John was educated in the USA and has worked extensively across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. John also founded and owns his own private sixth form college in Bristol, England.
-
Jan Williams has over 15 years of experience in international education and university guidance, supporting students across the UK, Middle East and Central Asia. Her career combines school leadership, teaching, scientific research and higher education advising. As Head of Sixth Form at Repton Al Barsha and an independent higher education consultant, she has built an extensive network of counselors, international schools and universities worldwide. Jan works closely with counselors, students and families to navigate increasingly complex global university admissions processes and plays a leading role in shaping the future direction of Studee's University Application Workspace.
Jan is also an experienced Biology and Physics teacher, having held a number of leadership positions including Head of Science and Faculty Leader in leading international schools across Bahrain, Indonesia, Kazakhstan and the UAE. Jan is a fully accredited British Council Education Agent and a Times Higher Education (THE) accredited counselor, recognized for her commitment to professional excellence and student-centered guidance.
-
Laura has more than a decade of experience in careers education and university guidance across both traditional and online learning environments and is based in the UAE. As Careers and University Advisor at Minerva Virtual Academy, she supports students from around the world with university planning, career development and global admissions. Laura brings extensive experience in personalized student guidance and innovative approaches to online education.
As well as being a Career Counselor and an independent university consultant, Laura is a qualified teacher and has taught Mathematics and Business Studies. She holds a joint Bachelor's degree in Business and Law and a Master's from UCL in Educational Policy and has extensive experience in leadership, across the UK, Qatar and UAE.
Laura is a fully accredited British Council Education Agent and a Times Higher Education (THE) accredited counselor, and is currently in the process of getting her Postgraduate Diploma in Career Guidance and Development.
Laura approaches supporting families through a personalized holistic approach, equipping students with greater confidence and families with realistic and ambitious possibilities.
-
Sandy Shalala
Founding Member, Counselors Circle
Represents the Middle East · Based in Abu Dhabi, UAE
LinkedInSandy has more than 15 years of professional experience spanning careers guidance, talent acquisition and people development. As Career and University Guidance Counselor at Repton Abu Dhabi, she supports students throughout their higher education journey, helping them explore university options and make informed decisions about their future. Sandy holds a Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development and is a British Council Certified Counselor, reflecting her commitment to professional excellence in international university guidance. Representing the Middle East region, she brings valuable insight into supporting students at one of the region's leading British international schools while helping shape Studee's University Application Workspace.
-
Cliona McMenamin
Founding Member, Counselors Circle
Represents Europe · Based in Rome, Italy
LinkedInCliona is Director of University Guidance and Careers at St George's British International School in Rome. She has over 20 years' experience in education, including extensive leadership experience in careers, university guidance, sixth form and mathematics, most recently at Dubai College, UAE, one of the region's leading British curriculum schools.
She supports students and families through every stage of the higher education and careers process, with experience across applications to the UK, Ireland, Europe, North America and other global destinations. Having worked with students in both UK and international school contexts, she brings a strong understanding of globally mobile students, international admissions systems, student wellbeing and the pressures young people face when making decisions about their futures.
Cliona is a CDI qualified career guidance practitioner and holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Career Guidance and Development, alongside a Master's in Education. She is also a Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF) credentialed by the NCDA and has completed The British Council and Times Higher Education (THE) Counselor Accreditation. Her work is grounded in evidence-informed practice, personalized guidance and a strong belief that university and careers support should help students find pathways that are ambitious, realistic and sustainable.
She is the author of Careers Education and Wellbeing, a practical guide for schools on embedding wellbeing into careers education and supporting young people to approach their futures with greater confidence, agency and purpose.
-
Elise Norman-Hunkin
Founding Member, Counselors Circle
Represents the Middle East · Based in Dubai, UAE
LinkedInElise is a university and careers counselor at Jumeirah College Dubai, one of the UAE's leading British curriculum schools, supporting students through every stage of the higher education process. A former Head of Sixth Form, she brings a unique understanding of curriculum, student progression, and post-18 education. She combines personalized guidance with expertise in international university admissions, helping students identify best-fit courses and institutions across the UK, America, Canada, Europe, Australia, and beyond.
She holds a Master of Education in Career Development, is a Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF) credentialed by the NCDA, and has earned Times Higher Education (THE) Counselor Accreditation. Through evidence-informed practice and ongoing professional learning, she supports students and families in navigating an increasingly complex global admissions landscape.
-
Mike has more than 15 years of experience in education, spanning teaching, school leadership and careers guidance. As Head of Careers at St Andrew's School, Turi, Kenya, he supports students in preparing for higher education and future careers at one of Africa's leading British international schools. Mike holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Secondary Education and Teaching and is currently undertaking a PhD in Education at The University of Queensland, reflecting his commitment to advancing educational practice. Representing the African region, he brings valuable insight into the needs of international schools and helps ensure Studee's University Application Workspace is shaped by the real-world experiences of counselors supporting students around the world.
-
Callie is Head of Careers and University Guidance at Panyathip British International School in Laos. She supports students from diverse international backgrounds through subject selection, university research and global admissions. Her experience within Southeast Asia brings an important regional perspective to the development of Studee's University Application Workspace.
Alongside her careers role, Callie is Deputy Headteacher with responsibility for Teaching and Learning and Professional Development, where she has established a new Careers Department and designed a whole-school Future Pathways careers curriculum to embed career education across all year groups. Her previous experience as Head of Sixth Form and University Guidance, combined with over 15 years in education, provides her with a holistic understanding of preparing students for successful futures through high-quality teaching, pastoral support and careers guidance.
-
Natasha Rush
Founding Member, Counselors Circle
Represents the Middle East · Based in Dubai, UAE
LinkedInNatasha is Head of Sixth Form and Careers & University Guidance Counselor at Regent International School in Dubai. She leads careers education, university guidance and sixth form provision, supporting students from Year 7 through to university applications across the UK, Europe, North America and the Middle East. Originally training as a Business and Economics teacher, Natasha combined her passion for education with her networking and relationship-building skills to transition into careers and university guidance. She has further developed her expertise through careers and counseling studies with the Open University and by achieving the Times Higher Education CAP Accredited Career Counselor Level 1 and 2 certificates.
With extensive experience in academic leadership, pastoral care and curriculum development, Natasha has designed whole-school careers programs, built strong university and industry partnerships, and champions student agency in preparing young people for higher education and future careers. A regular speaker and workshop leader at education conferences, she is passionate about helping students identify ambitious pathways and achieve successful outcomes.
-
Jo has over 15 years of experience in international education, spanning university and careers guidance, teaching and school leadership across Europe and Asia. She is an International University Advisor at Anywhere Uni, supporting students and families in finding their best-fit university, course and country worldwide.
Previously, Jo was University and Careers Counselor at Dulwich College Singapore, including a year as Head of Department, and established the university counseling program at the British School of Bucharest. She holds a PGCE in Secondary Education from the University of Sheffield and is an IACAC mentor and member of its Global Affairs Committee.
Representing Europe on Studee's Founding Counselors Circle, Jo brings extensive expertise in international admissions and supporting students applying to universities across multiple global destinations.
-
Anabia Jamshed
Founding Member, Counselors Circle
Represents the Middle East · Based in Dubai, UAE
LinkedInAnabia has over 10 years of experience in education, careers development and student guidance. As Careers, Alumni and University Guidance Counselor at GEMS Dubai American Academy in Dubai, she supports students in making informed university and career decisions, with a strong focus on student fit, employability and future readiness.
Her experience also includes university-level career advising and contributing to the development of careers and futures programs across GEMS Education.
Anabia holds an MSc in Business Management from Imperial College London and is a Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF) and Facilitating Career Development specialist through the National Career Development Association. Representing the Middle East region, she brings valuable insight into international university guidance and preparing students for successful transitions from school into higher education and future careers.
